Recessed hook and handle for a plastic box

Abstract

A rectangular plastic box for storing video cassettes which includes an unobtrusive hook portion by which the box may be hung on a horizontal member received through a recess in the box. The box also includes a handle portion along its edge opposite the hook which can be stored in a recess from the outer surface of the box, and can be swung out and manually engaged to facilitate carrying the box, or hanging it on or removing it from a horizontal member.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a plastic box adapted for storage and shipment of a tape cassette, said box having rectangularly disposed first and second edge walls, first and second end walls, and opposed side walls, the improvement wherein said box has: a recess opening through said side walls and said first edge wall adjacent said first end wall;   a hook portion projecting over a portion of said recess toward said second end wall so that the hook can be engaged with a horizontal member by passing the hook transversely over the horizontal member with the horizontal member being received in a position extending through said recess;   a handle portion adapted for manual engagement and integrally formed with said second edge wall adjacent said first end wall, said handle portion being thin and flexible at its juncture with said second edge wall to afford movement of said handle portion between a carrying position projecting from said second edge wall, and a storage position with said handle member generally parallel with said second edge wall;   a recess adapted to receive said handle member in its storage position; and   means for releasably retaining said handle portion in its storage position.   
     
     
       2. A plastic box according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said hook portion is flush with the outer surface of said first edge wall. 
     
     
       3. A plastic box according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the outer surface of said handle portion in its storage position is flush with the outer surface of said second edge wall. 
     
     
       4. A plastic box according to claims 1 or 3 wherein said handle portion is generally U-shaped and said means for releasably retaining said handle portion in its storage position comprises undercut portions of said second end wall adapted to receive mating thinned areas along the inner surface of said U-shaped handle portion when it is in its storage position, said handle being sufficiently flexible to snap around the outer ends of said portions to afford movement of said handle portion between its carrying and storage positions.